Cons

There can be long lines at times -- restaurants, taxi stand, check-in

Affordable dining options are limited

Daily fee for fitness center and spa facilities

Expensive Wi-Fi fee

Bottom Line

A 4,004-room mega-resort, Aria stands as the shiny centerpiece of the $11 billion City Center, opened in December 2009. Everything at Aria is done on a grand scale, from the soaring ceilings to the 16 restaurants, and not at the expense of good service, either. And the design, while whimsical and creative, aims for refinement and class rather than Vegas kitsch, creating a lovely luxury hotel -- and one that's still affordable.

Oyster Hotel Review

Scene

A 4,004-room mammoth that gives its Strip predecessors a run for their money with high design, tons of amenities, and good service

A 4,004-room mega-resort, Aria stands as the shiny centerpiece of the $11 billion City Center, opened in December 2009. The Aria curves around the top of the horseshoe-shaped complex, a massive hotel that aims to outdo the famous Strip giants with its 16 restaurants, seven bars, 150,000-square-foot casino, five pools, and a nightclub that's shaping up to be one of Vegas' hottest. And the hotel's planners took careful steps to avoid what its predecessors do so well: Aria plainly leaves behind the kitsch and themes for which Vegas hotels are known, instead opting for a clean modern design with neutral colors. You won't find any flashing lights, artificial canals, or dancing fountains here.

Aria, however, can still wow even jaded Vegas visitors, with soaring ceilings that allow sunlight to pour into the expansive lobby, and a casino that stretches on for ages. Size and beautiful design aside, Aria keeps up with luxury hotels like Encore and Bellagio by offering the slew of amenities expected from a megaresort, from the retail shops, to an adults-only party pool. There's something for everyone here, and in turn the clientele is as varied as Vegas itself.

Location

Aria Resort & Casino is the grand daddy of the three hotels in the City Center complex, a massive hotel and shopping center on the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip. The Strip, a densely packed three-and-a-half mile long stretch of hotel-casinos on Las Vegas Boulevard, is the city's main artery and tourist center. City Center opened in December 2009 after $11 billion in construction costs, with the shiny Aria towering over the complex.

Rooms

The floor-to-ceiling curtains slide open along their track, revealing a view of the Vdara Hotel and the desert beyond -- an impressive, dramatic touch that shows that Aria is here to do things bigger and better. And bigger is right: Standard rooms here are 520 square feet, which is big even by Vegas standards.

The decor is simple and modern, the beds are supremely comfortable, and the bathrooms are large and inviting. And this hotel is not messing around with technology: The whole room is wired through a Control 4 system, which allows you to control everything through one touchscreen panelat your bedside.

Deluxe rooms are the hotel's standard rooms and are a generous 520 square feet. They come with either a king bed or two queens. For a bit more money, the Deluxe City View Rooms overlook City Center and the Las Vegas Strip

Corner Suites are 920 square feet and have separate living room and bedroom spaces, each with a 42-inch TV

Crystals Suites are 1,000 square feet and have panoramic views of the Strip and City Center's uniquely shaped Crystals shopping mall. The living room and bedroom each have a 42-inch TV.

Aria Suites (part of the Sky Suites category) are either one-bedroom (1,050 square feet) or two-bedroom (1,630 square feet) guest rooms with great views. Guests staying in these suites are picked up (and dropped off) at the airport by a limo and brought to a special entrance where they are privately checked into the hotel. The rooms also include a free daily newspaper, two flatscreen TVs (52-inch in the living room, 42-inch in the bedroom), personalized concierge service, and access to a private elevator.

There are also Penthouse Suites, the Cirrus Suite, Executive Hospitality Suite, and Sky Villas for those who need even more space.

Features

Amenities galore -- you could stay here and never leave the property

Spa at Aria is 80,000 square feet and includes a full-service salon. For a daily fee, guests can use the fitness center, salt room, heated stone beds, and outdoor balcony.

Three main pools plus a Jacuzzi. The pool bar serves light fare and drinks. Waitstaff circles the pool grounds until late in the afternoon.

Liquid Pool Lounge is an adults-only pool area with two small pools and a popular scene on weekends. Open seven days a week, with a bar that serves drinks and lunch food.

Family

Standard rooms are 520 square feet and can come with two queen beds, so there's plenty of room to spread out. The hotel, like most big hotels in Las Vegas, attracts a mixed crowd, everyone from young party-goers to families with tots.

Cribs are available for free

There's a fee for rollaway beds, but availability isn't guaranteed and they can only be put into rooms with one bed (so you could book a room with two queen beds instead).

The small video game arcade is open seven days a week. A staff member is on hand at all times.

The mini-fridge is full of minibar items, so there's no place to store food or formula.

Food

Sixteen restaurants plus the buffet, though not many options for on-the-go food or a quick bite

Like its fellow megaresorts, Aria offers a range of restaurants across different cuisines and prices. The hotel has nine high-end dining options, including the modern American restaurant Sage by award-winning chef Shawn McClain, and Bar Masa (and its restaurant-within-a-restaurant Tetsu), which offers Japanese fare by Masa Takayama, whose New York restaurant Masa earned three Michelin stars in 2009. These are located in the lobby, while upstairs is the hotel's handsome trio of Jean Georges Steakhouse, American Fish, and Sirio Ristorante.

Although a few restaurants have (lackluster) pre-made sandwiches and salads, there aren't too many options for a bite on the go. Jean Philippe Patisserie was the only appetizing option (and appetizing it was!), though there's often a line, especially in the morning. Be prepared to wait in line for breakfast at The Buffet and Cafe Vetro as well.

The Buffet Link: http://www.daily-oyster.com/las-vegas/hotels/aria-resort-and-casino-las-vegas/photos/restaurants-bars--v744247/ prides itself on its never-ending crab legs. Desserts are from the delicious Jean Philippe Patisserie downstairs. The space was renovated in 2012.

Bottom Line

A 4,004-room mega-resort, Aria stands as the shiny centerpiece of the $11 billion City Center, opened in December 2009. Everything at Aria is done on a grand scale, from the soaring ceilings to the 16 restaurants, and not at the expense of good service, either. And the design, while whimsical and creative, aims for refinement and class rather than Vegas kitsch, creating a lovely luxury hotel -- and one that's still affordable.